Providence Mayor Offers Support For Limited Achievement First Expansion

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza says he supports an expansion by charter school group Achievement First. But a smaller expansion than the group is seeking. Achievement First wants to add more than 2,000 new seats by 2026.

Elorza gave testimony Tuesday at the State Council of Elementary and Secondary Education. He said he wants to make sure the expansion will not harm students in Providence Public Schools.

State Education Commissioner Ken Wagner says he supports the expansion at Achievement First – which has better than average test scores. Wagner says Providence students deserve better options, because many of their schools are low-performing.